Medication assisted alcohol recovery provides a safe, comfortable detoxification

At Kolmac Integrated Behavioral Health Centers, patients can receive medication assisted alcohol recovery to help manage withdrawal symptoms. We keep them comfortable and safe during detoxification. Our experienced medical staff closely monitors patients in our facility on the first day of detoxification, checking on them every hour to ensure that they are comfortable and safe.

Medication assisted alcohol recovery can help prevent alcohol relapses

Medication assisted alcohol recovery, when combined with psychosocial treatment, can increase the likelihood of a successful recovery. Patients who are not suffering from physical discomfort due to withdrawal symptoms are better able to begin the psychological work of recovery. In addition, a good detoxification experience helps patients feel positive about continuing treatment.

We identify the most effective medications for each patient

Our medical staff performs patient evaluations to determine whether a patient needs medications during detoxification, and, if so, what type. They use leading-edge, safe and effective medications. Our medical staff also picks each medication to provide the most symptom relief with the fewest side effects.

Antabuse for medication assisted alcohol recovery

Physicians have treated alcohol problems with Antabuse (disulfiram) since the 1950s. This medication gives patients an additional incentive not to drink by causing an unpleasant reaction if someone drinks while the medication is in their system.

When patients reside in treatment facilities, alcohol is not available, providing physical separation from alcohol. In outpatient treatment settings, patients live at home, go to work or school, and socialize, so complete separation from alcohol isn’t an option. Fortunately, Antabuse provides vital chemical separation for patients for the first 30 days of treatment.

When used as a sole treatment element, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of Antabuse. However, as part of a comprehensive recovery plan, it helps many patients. Antabuse can be an integral part of medication assisted alcohol recovery, whether taken briefly or longer.

Campral and Naltrexone can also help patients

Since 1989, physicians in Europe have used Campral (acamprosate) to reduce alcohol relapses. This medication has no significant side effects, making it an effective tool for medication assisted alcohol recovery. It appears to work by reducing the preoccupation with alcohol and reducing the power of triggers that, ordinarily, would set off thoughts about drinking. Researchers and physicians believe that Campral reduces the activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that becomes overactive when patients stop drinking.

For years, medical professionals have used Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol) to block the action of opioid drugs. However, more recently, Naltrexone has proven useful in reducing alcohol relapses. This medication reduces patients’ cravings for alcohol, as well as the pleasurable effects of alcohol they feel when they drink.

The professionals at Kolmac have years of experience with medication assisted alcohol recovery. For more information, contact us.